DNS monitoring with PRTG

DNS servers are also referred to as “name servers.” They assign the right IP address to a URL, and vice versa. On the web, they assign the right IP address to a domain name such as www.paessler.com so you don’t have to memorize a string of numbers. In the local network, the DNS server translates the names of computers and network devices into “real addresses.” It ensures that you can access all your devices without having to enter their IP addresses.

Active Directory also relies on information provided by the DNS. And if you wish to use the name resolution service in your own network, then you’ll need a DNS server. Without the correct DNS records, people cannot find your website or send you email. It's extremely important to know that those public records are pointing to the right addresses.

A name server is basically the same thing as a DNS server. A name server also resolves domain names to IP addresses and IP addresses to domain names. When you connect to the Internet, you access the name server of your Internet service provider. You can also set up a name server for your own network. If you do so, be sure to monitor it so you can quickly detect cyberattacks or other unwanted intrusions.

If a DNS server is unresponsive, try some simple things first. Restart your router. Sometimes the DNS cache is also corrupted. You can flush your DNS cache by using the “ipconfig” command in the command line. If you have a larger network, it makes more sense to use network monitoring tools to get down to the underlying causes of problems.

PRTG is a proprietary software tool that monitors the health and performance of your DNS servers round the clock. Our preconfigured sensors track response time, performance, and DNS records over time, bringing key data together in one simple, intuitive interface you can access from anywhere: at the office, at home, or on the go.

Because it can help you prevent potentially critical events. A DNS server malfunction could make it impossible for your colleagues to access email, applications, VoIP, and other tools they need to do their jobs, and make your network vulnerable to attacks from bad actors. PRTG alerts you before there's a risk this might happen, so you can get to the bottom of any issues and fix them straight away.

Yes. If a server forms part of your organization's infrastructure, PRTG can monitor it: application servers, backup servers, database servers, file servers, mail servers, web servers, virtual servers… you get the picture. And, with more than 250 preconfigured PRTG sensor types plus the ability to create your own custom sensors, you can keep an eye on every network variable imaginable.

In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive.

On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.